"Princes of South Carolina, Kings of the Upstate"

If you've seen "The Cider House Rules," you surely recall how Michael Caine bid his boys good night at every bedtime: "Good night, you princes of Maine, you kings of New England!" I've adapted this somewhat as you can see from the title of this post, and it's our new good night ritual for David and Randy (in photo, Randy is on left and David on right). They know it's coming, and they get big smiles on their faces. They have been here since Wednesday and are wonderfully good-natured, have voracious appetites, and are doing well in school. Hank and I are slowly getting our rhythms worked out and each day becomes a little smoother and easier. We feel worn out physically but are energized spiritually, especially in little moments when they volunteer for devotions, or that very first day when they prompted us to say the blessing while eating at a local pizza parlor! Out of the mouths of babes.... and straight into our hearts.

You Bet Your Sweet (Whit)-Ash!

That's Ray and Hercules delivering our BEAUTIFUL new LEATHER furniture, a generous and loving gift from Mr. Gerry Black of Whit-Ash Furniture Company in downtown Columbia SC. We've never met him so this is a true testimony to the kindness of strangers. Gerry just told us he loves and understands the work we're doing here at Thornwell. He's a friend and a customer of our dear friends, Bert and son Joey Showfety. Don't you love the power of connections, the "six degrees of separation" force that continually seems to be in effect all around us? This furniture has truly made our house feel like a home, and we know will be a source of comfort for many years to come. Don't worry, Gerry: we're not allowing any food in the family room!??!

Magic Carpet Ride

Start. Stop. Start. Stop. It's felt like an old rickety roller coaster as we've waited and waited for the new carpet to arrive and be installed in the Georgia-Beatie Cottage. We were sure it was coming, and then.... nothing! And so much hinged on the new carpet! We couldn't start cleaning furniture, making beds, setting up computer stations and bulletin boards until the new carpet was put down. We left for our Christmas break on December 22 and returned to Clinton on New Year's Day. We both held our breaths as we entered Georgia-Beatie, wondering if we would find the carpet installed. Lo and behold, the house had been completely carpeted! It was "magical" how the carpet gave a whole new look and feel to the house! (see "Happy Hank" in the photo!) We are closer to an intake of children now, so please continue to pray for us as we wait for this to happen.